Status: 11/29/2022 3:01 p.m
After two years with fireworks bans, people are expected to be allowed to fire again on New Year’s Eve. But far fewer goods than usual come from the main country of origin, China. At the same time, the debate about a ban on firecrackers starts again.
The import of fireworks has fallen massively this year compared to the years before the corona pandemic. From January to September, only around 5,700 tons of fireworks were imported to Germany – a drop of more than 80 percent compared to 2019, as reported by the Federal Statistical Office in Wiesbaden. At that time, 29,800 tons were imported.
Compared to the pandemic year 2021, imports increased slightly this year – no surprise given that there was a ban on the sale of New Year’s Eve fireworks. The ban was intended to protect the hospitals, which were heavily used due to the corona pandemic, from being overloaded, for example by accidents with fireworks. In the whole of 2021, only 2300 tons of firecrackers and rockets were imported into Germany.
Exports to other European countries
According to the information, almost all imported fireworks continue to come from China. In contrast to the low import figures, however, more German New Year’s firecrackers, firecrackers and rockets are sold abroad – albeit at a low level. While around 2,200 tons were exported from Germany in the first three quarters of 2019, exports have already increased to 2,700 tons this year.
The most important buyers of German fireworks in the course of the year so far have been the Netherlands with 49 percent, Italy with 23 percent and Belgium with 18 percent.
Action alliance calls for a ban on private fireworks
A fundamental ban on fireworks, which has been discussed in the meantime against the background of the corona crisis, has not yet been decided. According to the Federal Office, however, some cities want to ban private fireworks this year, at least in some places.
Several associations such as the German Environmental Aid (DUH) reiterated their call for a general ban. “We demand an end to the archaic New Year’s firecrackers,” explained DUH Managing Director Jürgen Resch in a joint statement by an action alliance. The background is, among other things, the air pollution associated with New Year’s Eve, suffering pets and injuries to children and adults.
The police union (GdP) also took part in the joint call for a ban. GdP federal chairman Jochen Kopelke called for a “general ban on the private burning of New Year’s Eve fireworks throughout Germany”.
The Federal Association of Pyrotechnics, on the other hand, criticized calls for a general ban. Fireworks are “of great value for many people,” said association chairman Ingo Schubert. “After two years of the ban in the context of the corona pandemic, people are longing for the fiery New Year’s tradition.”